George Washington and the Cherry Tree
The new vesions


Version 1


(For those who aren't familiar with the story of George Washington
and the cherry tree, let me give you the 30 second version. George
Washington, the first President of the United States, was known for
his truthfulness, even as a child. The story tells that young George
chopped down a cherry tree and when his father asked him about it,
he told his father the truth. George was not punished because of his
truthfulness. You can figure out the moral of the story.

Now, imagine if this happened in today's world .....)


"George Washington, did YOU chop down the cherry tree?"

"No, Dad."

"I think you are lying."

"No, no, no! I swear I did NOT chop down the cherry tree."

"Son, I saw you out here with your axe. Your punishment will be
much worse for you if you lie. Now, tell me the truth!"

"Dad, I answered your question truthfully. Still, I must take
complete responsibility for all my actions. While my answer was
legally accurate, I did not volunteer information.

"Indeed, Dad, I did cause the cherry tree to be lying on the ground.
To do this was wrong. It constituted a critical lapse in judgment
and a personal failure on my part for which I am solely and completely
responsible.

"I know my answer to you gave a false impression. I misled you, my
own father. I deeply regret that.

"I can only tell you I was motivated by many factors. First, by a
desire to protect myself from the embarrassment of my own conduct.

"I was also very concerned about protecting Mom from this shock.

"What I did, Dad, was use a saw to cause the cherry tree to fall.
Only after the tree was already down did I go get my axe to chop off
individual branches.

"So, I chopped off branches, but sawed down the tree. Look at the saw
cut on the stump and the axe cuts on the branches. Therefore,
legally, I told the truth.

"I ask you to turn away from the spectacle of this fallen tree and to
return our attention to a solid family relationship."



Version 2


There has been a recent discovery among archives shedding
new information regarding George Washington's famous line
"I can not tell a lie - I chopped down the Cherry Tree"
It seems that someone was hiding nearby during the
following discussion and copied this on parchment.

HERE'S THE STORY
----------------

"George, son, did you chop down the cherry tree?"

"No, Dad."

"Son, because I trust you and have given you the privilege
of running the plantation while I'm gone as a symbol of that
trust, I'm going to believe you."

SEVEN MONTHS LATER...

"George, your brother was talking to one of our slaves,
and the slave told him he saw you chop down that cherry
tree last winter. Did you?"

"No, Dad."

"I think you are lying."

"No, no, no! I swear I did NOT chop down the cherry tree."

"Son, he saw you out here with your axe. Your punishment
will be much worse for you if you lie. Now, tell me the truth!"

"Dad, I answered your question truthfully. Still, I must take
complete responsibility for all my actions. While my answer
was legally accurate, I did not volunteer information. Indeed,
Dad, I did cause the cherry tree to be lying on the ground.
To do this was wrong. It constituted a critical lapse in
judgment and a personal failure on my part for which I am
solely and completely responsible. I know my answer to you
gave a false impression. I misled you, my own father. I
deeply regret that. I can only tell you I was motivated
by many factors.

" What I did, Dad, was use a saw to cause the cherry
tree to fall. Only after the tree was already down did
I go get my axe to chop off individual branches. So,
I chopped off branches, but sawed down the tree.
Look at the saw cut on the stump and the axe cuts on the
branches. Therefore, legally, I told the truth. I ask you
to turn away from the spectacle of this fallen tree and
to return our attention to a solid family relationship.
After all, who's going to remember a cherry tree as a
symbol of my character and ability to lead?"